Strongylodon macrobotrys

 Strongylodon macrobotrys ❀

Strongylodon macrobotrys, commonly known as the jade vine, emerald vine,[2] or turquoise jade vine,[3] is a leguminous vine endemic to the Philippines. It is a popular ornamental plant known for its cascading clusters of vibrant turquoise or greenish-blue claw-shaped flowers. Cultivating jade vine requires a tropical environment, making it a popular choice in botanical gardens and conservatories. The plant's striking appearance and 

limited distribution contribute to its allure among plant enthusiasts worldwide.

Description

strongylodon macrobotrays has thick stems up to 2 cm in diameter, which it uses to crawl up tall trees to reach sunlight.[6] Its stems can reach up to 18 m in length.[7] The vine entwines itself through its host's trunk and branches. Like kudzu, which also belongs to the papillionaceous subfamily, the Jade Vine can completely smother a dead, dying or severely damaged tree.[8]

Its pale green foliage spreads over the canopy and is arranged alternately. Each leaf consists of three oblong leaflets with mucronate tips, the middle leaflet is  the largest 

Origins

Strongylodon macrobotrys was first described by Western explorers in 1841. The plant was noted on the jungled slopes of Mount Makiling, on the Philippines’ Luzon Island, by members of the United States Exploring Expedition. The plant received its Western name and was first described in Western literature by Harvard-based botanist Asa Gray. He described thousands of plants collected by the United States multi-ship expedition. Plants were collected from various countries including Honolulu and Antarctica. Gray had disagreed with Lt. Charles Wilkes, the U.S. Navy officer who had led the expedition and elected not to join the voyage itself. The expedition involved several violent altercations with
indigenous populations. Wilkes was court-martialed at the end of the expedition but was acquitted.Its species epithet macrobotrys means “long grape cluster”, from the Greek makros "long"and botrys "bunch of grapes",[4] referring to the fruit; the genus name derives from strongylos "round", and odous "tooth",[5] referring to the rounded teeth of the calyx.